VOA标准英语2014--Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Nov. 1

 

Top 5 Countdown for Week Ending Nov. 1

We’re breaking out the five most popular songs in the Billboard¹ Hot 100 pop singles chart, for the week ending November 1, 2014.

Once upon a time, when dinosaurs² roamed the earth, male voices were heard in the Top 5. Alright, it was only two months ago, but still - it’s been a long time.

Every one of this week’s Top 5 songs has gone platinum³ or multi-platinum here in the United States.

Tove Lo dips a slot to fifth place with her million-selling single “Habits (Stay High).”Tove says she challenges herself to sing things she probably wouldn’t say, and that she has a need to “put it all out there for people.”

Iggy Azalea put it all out there during her recent online feud⁴ with Snoop Dogg.   Iggy and Rita Ora retreat a slot to fourth place with “Black Widow.” Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg touched off a vicious online fight with Iggy, halted only when her manager T.I. stepped in and phoned Snoop. Details about the conversation are scarce, but no money reportedly changed hands.

It’s an “up” week for Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj, as “Bang Bang” bounces from fifth to third place. Jessie’s third album Sweet Talker enters in 10th place in the current Billboard 200 Pop Album chart. This is actually Jessie’s second Stateside release, as her 2013 set Alive never saw the light of day here in the U.S.

Taylor Swift spends yet another week in the runner-up slot with “Shake It Off.” Her 1989 album hits the market this week, and record industry bigwigs are hoping that it does well. To date, album sales are down 14 percent from last year, while singles sales have plunged⁵ 13 percent…this according to Nielsen SoundScan. Not to worry: Billboard quotes industry sources as saying 1989 could move between 800,000 and 900,000 first-week copies. That’s a lot.

Up at number one, give Meghan Trainor a lucky seventh week with “All About That Bass⁶.” Meghan says she originally aspired⁷ to be a songwriter, not a singer - and never intended to perform this song. She recorded a demo version… and when record executive L.A. Reid loved her voice, Meghan became the star she is today.

1 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

2 dinosaurs   

n.恐龙( dinosaur的名词复数 )；守旧落伍的人，过时落后的东西

参考例句：

• The brontosaurus was one of the largest of all dinosaurs. 雷龙是所有恐龙中最大的一种。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. 恐龙绝种已有几百万年了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 platinum   

n.白金

参考例句：

• I'll give her a platinum ring.我打算送给她一枚白金戒指。
• Platinum exceeds gold in value.白金的价值高于黄金。

4 feud   

n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇

参考例句：

• How did he start his feud with his neighbor?他是怎样和邻居开始争吵起来的？
• The two tribes were long at feud with each other.这两个部族长期不和。

5 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

6 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

7 aspired   

v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She aspired to a scientific career. 她有志于科学事业。
• Britain,France,the United States and Japan all aspired to hegemony after the end of World War I. 第一次世界大战后，英、法、美、日都想争夺霸权。 来自《简明英汉词典》